OCTOBER 1, 2004

Government rejects British GP cash plea

Rt Hon Richard Caborn MP, the British Minister for Sport and Tourism has rejected calls for the British government to step in and fund the British Grand Prix.

"Is it right that a cash-rich, asset-rich sport should take money out of the sport budget?" Caborn told to Radio Five Live.

But already the British Grand Prix has become a political issue with opposition members of parliament questioning the government's decision to go against the advice of civil servants and provide funding for the road projects at Silverstone, an investment which has in effect been wasted if the British GP does not happen.

Former Sports Minister Kate Hoey has joined in the dispute saying that the loss of the British Grand Prix is not just about sport.

"It's actually about the future of the motor industry in this country," she said. "It seems to me that they haven't actually thought through the repercussions of losing it. This government has to decide whether it cares about the whole industry to actually put some tangible support into it."